PROFILE | LOT - THE NEPHEW OF ABRAHAM

1. Profile of Lot, a Man Who Settled for Less

a) Lot, nephew of the Old Testament patriarch Abraham, was a man who seemed to be greatly influenced by his environment. As long as he accompanied his godly uncle Abraham, he managed to stay out of trouble.

b) But when he got away from Abraham's good example and moved to the city of Sodom, Lot knew he was in a place of sin. Peter says Lot was distressed by the evil going on about him, yet Lot did not work up the initiative to leave Sodom. God considered Lot and his family righteous, so he saved them. On the verge of Sodom's destruction, two angels led Lot, his wife and two daughters away.

c) Lot's wife turned and looked back, whether from curiosity or longing, we don't know. Immediately she turned into a pillar of salt.

d) Panicky because they were living in a wilderness cave where there were no men, Lot's two daughters got him drunk and committed incest with him. Perhaps if Lot had raised his daughters more strictly in God's ways, they would not have gone through with such a desperate plan.

e) Even so, God made good come out of it. The older daughter's son was named Moab. God gave Moab a section of land in Canaan. One of his descendants was named Ruth. Ruth, in turn, is named as one of the ancestors of the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ.

2. Lot's Accomplishments

a) Lot made his flocks grow to the point where he and Abraham had to part ways because there was not enough grazing land for both of them.

b) He learned much about the one true God from his uncle, Abraham.

3. Lot's Strengths

a) Lot was loyal to his uncle, Abraham.

b) He was a diligent worker and overseer.

4. Lot's Weaknesses

a) Lot could have been a great man, but he let himself get distracted.

5. Life Lessons

a) Following God and living up to his potential for us requires constant effort. Like Lot, we are surrounded by a corrupt, sinful society. Lot could have left Sodom and made a place for himself, his wife, and daughters where they could serve God. Instead, he accepted the status quo and stayed where he was. We can't flee from our society, but we can live God-honoring lives in spite of it.

b) Lot had a wonderful teacher and holy example in his uncle Abraham, but when Lot left to go out on his own, he did not follow in Abraham's footsteps. Attending church regularly keeps us focused on God. A Spirit-filled pastor is one of God's gifts to his people. Listen to God's Word at church. Let yourself be teachable. Resolve to live a life pleasing to your heavenly Father.

6. Hometown

a) Ur of the Chaldeans.

7. Referenced in the Bible

a) Lot's life is featured in Genesis chapters 13, 14, and 19. He is also mentioned in Deuteronomy 2:9, 19; Psalm 83:8; Luke 17:28-29, 32; and 2 Peter 2:7.

8. Occupation

a) Successful livestock owner, Sodom city official.

9. Family Tree

a) Father - Haran

b) Uncle - Abraham

c) Wife - Unnamed

d) Two Daughters - Unnamed

10. Key Verses

Genesis 12:4
So Abram went, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran. (NIV)


Genesis 13:12
Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom. (NIV)


Genesis 19:15
With the coming of dawn, the angels urged Lot, saying, "Hurry! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away when the city is punished." (NIV)


Genesis 19:36-38
So both of Lot's daughters became pregnant by their father. The older daughter had a son, and she named him Moab; he is the father of the Moabites of today. The younger daughter also had a son, and she named him Ben-Ammi; he is the father of the Ammonites of today. (NIV) 

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